The Opelousas courier., 1887-02-12
An Awkward Mistake.

eyes" said Ella Witherley, 81 really
think I'm going to have a step-grand-
mamm at last"
She spoke in a whisper. so that the
hale old squire, reading the newspaper
on the front porch, should not hear her,
neither should her voice reach the ears
of the Widow Coke, who was making
lemon pies in the great, cool kitchen.
Ella stood out among the cnrrant
bushes, her dimpled face half shaded by
the coquettish Seaside" that she wore,
and a basket Of garnet-red fruit in her
hand, while Josie Hall, her boarding
school, mate and dearest friend, leaned
over the garden wall.
"Dcar, dear, how dreadful" said
Josie, in sympathetic accents.
"Not so bad, after ALL" retorted Ella,
STOPPING to gather a four-leavei clover.
''Affs. Coke is a very nice sort Of wom-
an, if grandpa fancies hcr-and in case
they should get married, you see l am
free to go to New York and take those
drawing aud painting lessons that /
have sighed for SO long. My services
as hopsekceper and general factotun
will no longer be needed"
"Ican't bear that Mrs. Coke" said
Josie, spitefu.ly. Always talking
through her nose of her dear, departed
husband-always smelling of essence of
peppermint and"
"Now, 10, you're unreasonable, you
arc. 1t isn't a crime for the poor thing
to have the toothache."
'But she is such a horrible old scan
dial monger."
"That's a fashionable failingg
''And she goes patting around in.those
plush slippers like a supernatural pussy
ca.-and she talks about the dear
Squire"
"Well, why shouldn't sheT
ooh" said Josie, with a careless toss
of her head. 'if you're satisfied no one
else should object. Aud SO, I'll just
gather that green sage for Aunt Philista,
and get home as fast as | can"
The squire had finished the newspaper
when Ella returned to the house.
"Whcre have you been. my dear2' he
demanded blandly.
'Down in the garden, grandpapa, af-
ter ~currants.n
"An where is Mrs. CoxeW
Tin the kithen."
''What is she doing@
Making lemon pies, grandpapa, | be-
lieve, and getting ready to preserve
gooseberries."
"Ah-h-h-h!', said the squire comfort
ably nodding his head. mice woman,
Coke. Ichance to mention ycstcr-
day that l was fond Of gooseberry jam in
the winter, and here she is trying to an
ticipate my wishes already. A very nice
woman"
Eyes, grandpa said Ella demurely.
by the way" said the squire sudden
y starting up as a new thought struck
him, there are more of tho e choice
seeding peaches gone again since last
night. Did you SEE itan
noticed that the branches were bro
ken down a little, grandpapa.n
'Burglarsi Sneak thieves!" cried the
squire, the bald crown of his head be-
a rosy pink in his excitement.
ITO dare to steal my walI.fruit before it
is ripel To break boldly into my do
mainl But I'll be ever with 'em yet!
I'll chain Don, the blooda.ounl, to the
foot of the tree! I'll have a man-trap
teeth as sharp rs a steam-saw--I'H
me, is that the dinner bella It
be possible that it's twelve o'clock
But Mrs. Coke is SO surpris-
prompt"
Mrs. Coke, herself, however, the nom
pareil ola housekeepcr, who aspircd in
to become Mrs. Squire Witherl5,
did not appear at the table. Ella
knocked at her door with anxious in.
Pray excus nc for to-day, my
DEAR Mrs. Coxc's nasal voice answered
from within the sanctuary Of her own
bedroom. MN a little tired out with
The preserving
Late in the day the widow made her
appearance, her head tied up in an enor-
nous pink potted pocket handkerchief.
Dear me, Mrs. Coke, what is the
natter2'' said innocent Ella.
Its to prevent influenza said the
Widow Coke. looking under the pantry
to find the milk skinner. But
'he took particular pains to keep out Of
he range Of the squire's vision.
How did the gooseberries come out, Y
Ella inquired, thinking hat at last she
lad hit upon an acceptable topic Of con
7ersation.
s0h, they were 8 failure, 7 said Mrs.
Joke, wincing.
Dear me What was the troublca,
ssThey-they stuck to the kettle, =
aid Mrs. Coke, and she hurried out Of
he room tofeed the young turkeys.
HALF al hour afterward the hired hand